The Appeal begins as a story about an enormous liability verdict against a careless chemical corporation. However, its CEO is soon offered the opportuThe Appeal begins as a story about an enormous liability verdict against a careless chemical corporation. However, its CEO is soon offered the opportunity to ensure the appeal goes in his favor by getting a friendly individual on the Mississippi Supreme Court. Unlike some of other Grisham's novels, The Appeal focus's on the politics of the Appellate Court system, rather than on the lawyers.

I enjoyed this book because it spoke to the tension between the ethical and the realistic in a democratic election. In a society where campaigns need to raise a great deal of money, candidates are always indebted to one special interest or another (especially if they needed to be reelected). Furthermore, candidates may mislead the public by running on issues that have little to do do with the office; such as when Fisk introduced the issue of gay marriage to the campaign. Unfortunately, unless the public take the time to educate themselves on the facts and form their own opinions , such tactics often work quite well. In a society of disinterested voters, special interests rule politics....more

This John Grisham book reads much more like a watered down Tom Clancy, which is not necessarily a bad thing. I enjoyed the European atmosphere, the loThis John Grisham book reads much more like a watered down Tom Clancy, which is not necessarily a bad thing. I enjoyed the European atmosphere, the look at "spy culture" and the main character himself. As with many espionage thrillers, the existence of a massive conspiracy against a formerly powerful man seemed a bit of a stretch. However, the book flowed along nicely and reached an acceptable, if sudden, conclusion. The Broker is everything you expect it to be; nothing more, nothing less. ...more

The Last Juror was a fun "read". Grisham kept me interested in the verdict and consequences of the murder trial. As well, I genuinely liked the characThe Last Juror was a fun "read". Grisham kept me interested in the verdict and consequences of the murder trial. As well, I genuinely liked the character of Willie Trainer. Still, the narrative meandered too much between topics at times. Also, the protagonists short fling with dead woman's sexy sister felt shoehorned into the story. Lastly, the title just did not match the story well. Overall, however, I enjoyed the story of a young man making his own way as a newsman in 1970's Mississippi. ...more